Moving with pets

Keeping You Furry Friend Comfortable during your move

Moving with a pet: Tips to help your pet adjust to a new home

Moving is stressful - not only for us humans, but also for our furry friends! If you are concerned with how a move will affect you and your pet you can make the process a little less stressful by following these tips below. 

Plan ahead 

• Check the laws of your new neighborhood, state or town. Know what animals are allowed in the area, leash laws, and see if there are any restrictions on where your pets can go. 
• Look up the best vets in the area. It is always best to be prepared with a good Doctor for your animal. You never know when an emergency can happen, so knowing where you will take your pet if an accident does occur will provide you with pace of mind. 
• Be sure to have your animal micro-chipped and tagged as you will be in a new and unfamiliar area. It is better safe then sorry, especially when it comes to your animals being in a new area. Having a microchip or tags will help find your pet if they wander out of the home and can't find their way back. 
• If you have a dog and are moving locally it is a good idea to take them for walks in their soon to be neighborhood. Your pets will be living in a new "world" when you move. They will have a new home, new smells, new animal neighbors and visiting this new place prior to the move helps with the transition. 

moving day tips

• Make the movers and packers aware of your pets. Movers are used to animals being around on moving day. Introduce your pet to the movers, this way they can respect the animals needs and try to make the process as easy as possible. 
• Ask a friend to watch your pets on moving day. Removing your pet from the move on moving day makes the transition easier on the animals as they miss the commotion of moving items within the home.
•  Go easy at meal time. When your animal is stressed it can sometimes cause an upset stomach. If your pet has a sensitive stomach it is a good idea to feed them lighter. 
• Ease their anxiety. Find out what you can do to help your pets anxiety. This can range from special gear to their favorite chew toy/treat to keep them calm during the moving process. 

Making it feel like home

• Keep the routine. Animals are creature of habit. It is helpful for them to have a familiar routine that carries over to the new home. This could be their "safe place" such a a bed or crate or even having their meals at the same time every day. 
• Pet-proof your home. Your home is as new to you as it is to your dog. Be sure that all areas of the house are secured, such as doors closing tightly behind you. If you have a fenced in yard be sure to inspect the fence for any holes or areas your pet could escape from. 
• Explore. Take your pets on a walk to explore the new area, safely of course. Keep in mind there are things and people your animal has never been introduced to before, so be patient with them and continuously expose them to new things.